She called a plan to build fencing along parts of the Mexico border a "terrible idea" that overlooks local communities.

"I have been against the fence, I thought it's a bad idea even when it was just a matter of discussion," said Pelosi, D-Calif. "These are communities where you have a border going through them, they are not communities where you have a fence splitting them."

They are if they are on national borders. She's an open border proponent because she can promise illegals free services on the backs of the tax payers.

Second, Democratic presidential Mrs. Bill Clinton said Friday

that every child born in the United States should get a $5,000 "baby bond" from the government to help pay for future costs of college or buying a home.

"I like the idea of giving every baby born in America a $5,000 account that will grow over time, so that when that young person turns 18 if they have finished high school they will be able to access it to go to college or maybe they will be able to make that downpayment on their first home," she said.

The New York senator did not offer any estimate of the total cost of such a program or how she would pay for it.

Exactly, don't worry about how it is going to be funded; just vote for me and I'll give you whatever I tell you need. One social program after another.

The constituency of the Democrats: the ignorant, the poorly informated, the non-contributors. Is this the America we want to live in? Not me. These so-called leaders are showing no leadership. They truly suffer with dementia.

Friday, September 28, 2007

Democrats dislike, hate or oppose George W. Bush for a number of reasons. The bulk of these seem to be more personal in nature; i.e., he's a church-going man, poor extemporaneous speaker, boring, stubborn, etc. I am not a big fan of President Bush but it has nothing to do with his personality; it has to do with his policies.

The most important factor in measuring presidential candidates are their policies, leadership experience, and decision-making abilities.

When asked why I do not like Democrats, my response has nothing to do with dislike or hate or personal qualities. It has all to do with their policies, experience and abilities.

I do not agree with any of the Democratic presidential candidates positions on the issues. That's why I'll never vote for one. The Democrat way is not my way - it is not how I want my government to operate.

In the recent Democrat debates, Mrs. Clinton refused to answer questions she deems "hypothetical," or said she'll wait until she's president to outline specific policy proposals. I guess she thinks she's being assessed for a Supreme Court justice position.

I want our candidates to answer these questions. We need to know their beliefs prior to the election.

Luckily, I already know what we are going to get with her. Her platform is anti-American sovereignty, anti-military and socialism bordering on communism. She favors a bigger role of government, more societal dependency on government programs, and a greater control of Constitutional individual freedoms (gun rights, freedom of the speech) but a more liberal stance for "rights" that are not guaranteed by the Constitution (drug use, gay marriage).

When I read commentary and listen to Democrats, very few of their policies make sense. Few are well thought out. For example, when asked if healthcare should be free, 44% say it should be. 39% disagree and 17% are not sure.

Most Democrats (57%) say that providing insurance for everyone is the top priority. Most Republicans (71%) and those not affiliated with either party (52%) say reducing costs should be the priority.

Socialize medicine has never worked. If Americans were asked, "would you favor a free healthcare system if you knew that a typical operation like gall-bladder removal required a six months waiting period?" that socialized healthcare system might not be as alluring.

The bulk of the Democrat policies sound good to the ignorant (their constituency) but fail miserably on social and economics grounds.

Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama would be disastrous for America. They will help speed the decline of the American republic, faster than its current pace.

The enemy is within. The leaders of the Democrat party are leading the way. They are those who specialize in undermining anything pro-America.

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Utah media has become main stream media. Normally I view them as "wantabe" journalists. Now I add to their title "tabloid" journalists. All day yesterday and today, the lead story is Warren Jeffs' conviction of "rape as an accomplice."

Jeffs could get life in prison for his role in arranging the marriage of a 19 year old man to a 14 year old girl.

In Utah, a 14-year-old is legally able to consent to sex. It this case, prosecutors had to convince a jury she was improperly enticed, which they did. Apparently the couple spent time in both Hildale, UT and Colorado City, AZ because there is talk of a second state trial in Arizona where the

Joseph Smith arranged his marriage to six girls under the age of 18 including one 14 year old Helen Mar Kimball. One cannot assume that every one of these women eagerly agreed to the arrangement. Does it seem reasonable to assume that Joseph Smith should have been tried for rape?

I am not condoning this behavior but I question the hype surrounding it. There is a great deal of religious bigotry going on her. This is a modern day witch hunt, lead by Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff.

"Everyone should now know that no one is above the law, religion is not an excuse for abuse and every victim has a right to be heard," said Shurtleff, who had endorsed the prosecution in Washington County.

They are going after a leader of a religious organization. A religion that is not mainstream; a religion that seems antiquated and backwards.

If this was rape, why have there been no attempts to prosecute Allen Steed, the husband?

This is heading to toward laws against arranged marriages. Do you think most couples coming from an arranged marriage society; e.g., Hindu, are overly excited about their chosen mates? I'm sure that many of these marriages are consumated against the active will of the female.

Yep, Warren Jeffs (a rape accomplice) belonged on the FBI's 10 Most Wanted list alongside such figures as Osama bin Laden. Life in prison as an accomplice...more severe than most murderers? It's whacked.

Monday, September 24, 2007

Listening to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad speak through an interrupter today at Columbia University, I could not help but think this guy is no Hitler, like many claim.

He seems over his head when he appears an international stage. He has a difficult time with probing, unscripted questions. (However, he should have been prepped on the questions he could receive.) He is a terrible public speaker and motivator.

I would think Democrats all over the nation would be a little embarrassed after his display. He was using the same Democrat talking points they have been using ever sense Bush has been in office. From Iraq, Afghanistan and New Orleans to Israel/Palistine, Gitmo/Abu Ghraib and domestic spying, his points are based on twisted interpretations, used merely to take an opposing stance for shock purposes and to misconstrue the facts.

"Mr. President, you exhibit all the signs of a petty and cruel dictator," Columbia President Lee Bollinger said.

"When you come to a place like this it makes you simply ridiculous. The truth is that the Holocaust is the most documented event in human history."

"You are either brazenly provocative or astonishingly uneducated."

There has been a great deal of talk about allowing him to speak in America. He's not a citizen and that right is not his in this nation. Nevertheless, he was invited by one of our liberal bastions -- the school that gives a guy like him a open stage but not American conservative groups like the Minutemen.

I was and am not in favor of giving a person like him an open stage. Although he preaches everything we despise, the issue is that he is a direct sponsor of terrorism; he has American blood on his hands from a number of middle eastern attacks.

America must know its enemies. Bring one of our enemies closer makes use realize what a dolt he is. Today, he took a step backwards in his propaganda war.

Not surprising, there was little noise from most of the liberal groups, less the gay rights crowd. No women's rights group; no pro-lifers, no pro-drugy groups, none of those left wingers who if they lived in Iran, would face death.

Sunday, September 23, 2007

I have casually followed the Jena-6 story out of Louisiana. The concern is not over their innocence or guilt but how they have been treated.

Today, I was listening to some of the comments from the analysts on ESPN GameDay about Donavan McNabb's recent comments about where there is a different standard for black QBs and white ones. They are sticking with their "oh how unfair and racist everyone is; if we were only given a fair chance" stance.

Now there is no doubt that racism exists is society. But it is not the norm. In the world I live in and view through my portal, people are measured on their individual merit. The only reason race is brought up is by those in the so-called minority, don't get their way, or receive criticism.

The bulk of racism is media driven and those opportunistic politicians or make-believe reverends.

Friday, September 21, 2007

CBS and Viacom (VIAB) used him as a "scapegoat" and intentionally botched the aftermath of a discredited story about President Bush's military service to curry favor with the White House. He was removed from his "CBS Evening News" post in March 2005.

Everything he said three years ago and since shows a man than knows no shame.

As an anchor for a major TV network, he a) did not maintain his unbiasness and b) did not check his sources.

He also claims (not part of his law suit) the government exerts undue pressure on media -- they they should cover a story according to their political recommendation. Who in their right mind would think the current White House is influencing the major networks? They are all liberal (90% at least). They are the ones that cheered when Carl Rove announced his resignation.

I wish the main stream media took an unbiased stance. We know the ideology of those on talk radio, so the comparison has no validity. MSM journalists pretend they are unbiased. Fortunately, for many, we know their agendas.

Provide clear, unbias coverage and maybe you'll have a job in five years. As long as they force their liberal agenda, they will suffer economically. The more of them that go out of business, the better.

Dan Rather still wants to push his claim that Bush's military service in the early 1970s is questionable. He still thinks we care. The 2004 election is over. Go away Dan Rather and retire peacefully.

Thursday, September 20, 2007

This past weekend, along with a brother-in-law, nephew and son, we drove down to Las Vegas for Megadeth's Tour of Duty at the House of Blues in the Mandalay Bay casino. The doors opened at 5:30; the first warm-up band (The Confession) started at 6:30; the second (In This Moment) at 7:30. I did not like either -- should have walked out. Megadeth came on at 8:30 and played for almost 1.5 hours.

Like many rock events, the mosh pit was in force. That's one thing I have never been attracted to, even in my younger days. However, there were a bunch of moshers and crowd surfers. There were a few escorted out by security due to their over-aggressive tactics -- throwing elbows, stomping those on the ground, and head butting.

For the most part, few are there for the moshing. The lure is not there. However, I was amazed at a few of the moshers -- short females holding their own amidst some pretty big duds.

I have always liked the music; never have I liked the atmosphere of rock concerts.

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

DREAM Act of 2007 (S. 774), introduced as Amendment 2237, is designed to add provisions of the failed immigration bill (S. 1639) onto the defense authorization bill (H.R. 1585) for Fiscal 2008. The 16 July bill is sponsored by Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) and has 16 co-sponsors.

The DREAM Act would allow children who illegally entered into the United States before the age of 16, and who have lived within the U.S. for at least 5 years, to gain conditional legal status and eventual citizenship if the person attended a college or joined the military for a minimum of a two year period. The DREAM Act is a nightmare. It repeals a 1996 federal law that prohibits any state from offering in-state tuition rates to illegal aliens unless the state also offers in-state tuition rates to all U.S. citizens. The DREAM Act offers a separate amnesty to illegal-alien students.

IMO, our immigration policy should be simple and straight forward:

- Secure the borders.- Deport all illegal immigrant criminals; i.e., those in prison.- Enforce the hiring laws.- (Although I doubt it would ever get changed, I really do not like the loophole the 14th amendment gives to illegals.)

Once these are in place, the government is in a better place to address the illegals that are here for legitimate purposes -- working, contributing and building a better life for themselves and their families.

Congress again is attempting to "address immigration," through their stealth tactics. The DREAM Act is another loser proposal I hope goes down in flames.

This is a big difference between liberals and conservatives. We will find out shortly the direction of this nation. If you vote for her, you vote for higher taxes and more government involvement. You will also vote for a poorer healthcare system.

Certainly there are issues with our healthcare system. But claiming it is the government's job to insure every American (illegals and non-citizens) is covered by insurance is not the role of government. Forcing people to pay for another's healthcare, more so than we already do with employer-subsidized healthcare, is wrong.

Socialized medicine has failed everywhere where it has been tried. It does provide basic healthcare for the poorest in society but the quality suffers.

Her proposal is pure communism. Communism is only good for the lowest ranks of society. Once they have a little, that's it. There is nothing higher. The lowest common denominator is quite low. It brings society as a whole down. That's what her healthcare plan will do.

Like all liberal policies, they are all candy-coated and appealing to the ignorant, but underneath, they are always crap (literally and figuratively).

A vote for Mrs. Clinton is a vote for communism, and in IMO, one of the evilest woman in modern history.

Thursday, September 13, 2007

[Below is from an Internet chain, author unknown. I typically ignore them and rarely pass them on. However, this one it hit home for my parents, siblings and me. I want this in this blog record.]

TO ALL THE KIDS WHO SURVIVED the 1930's, 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's!! --------------------------------------------------------------------First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they were pregnant.

They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can, and didn't get tested for diabetes.

Then after that trauma, we were put to sleep on our tummies in baby cribs covered with bright colored lead-based paints.

We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets, not to mention, the risks we took hitchhiking.

As infants & children, we could ride in cars with no car seats, booster seats, seat belts or air bags.

Riding in the back of a pick up on a warm day was always a special treat.

We drank water from the garden tose and NOT from a bottle.

We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and NO ONE actually died from this.

We ate cupcakes, white bread and real butter and drank Kool-aid made with sugar, but we weren't overweight because, WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING!

We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on.

No one was able to reach us all day. And we were O.K.

We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem.

We did not have Playstations, nintendo's, X-boxes, no video games at all, no 150 channels on cable, no video movies or DVD's, no surround-sound or CDs, no cell phones, no personal computers, no Internet or chat rooms. WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!

We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits from these accidents.

We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in us forever.

We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays, made up games with sticks and tennis balls and, although we were told it could happen, we did not put out very many eyes.

We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just walked in and talked to them!

Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that!

The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of.They actually sided with the law!

These generations have produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers and inventors ever!

The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas. We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned HOW TO DEAL WITH IT ALL!

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

You love and cherish the military so much that you cannot fathom one more soldier killed or injured? That you care so much much for those soldiers, their families and the stress and strife the separation causes, not to mention their post-tour psychological problems, that you insist they should be immediately withdrawn?

or

You hate Bush, Republicans, conservatives and the military so much that you'll stop at nothing, even to the point of calling the military leaders liars and patsies and doing everything in your power to disgrace the military,to pacify our enemies and to obtain policical power?

Your probable 2008 presidential candidate, Mrs. Bill Clinton said yesterday to General David Patraeus: "Despite what I view is your rather extraordinary efforts in your testimony both yesterday and today, I think that the reports that you provide to us really require a willing suspension of disbelief."

You are schizophrenic -- of a split mind. Your people ran in 2006 on an anti-war platform, promising to get us out of Iraq. You continue to vote for the continue funding of the war machine.

Your 2006 presidential candidate, John Kerry, quelled his anti-military platform and ran as a "decorated soldier." On Tuesday, he said:

We need to (1) change the mission to pursuing al-Qaeda, training Iraqi security forces, and protecting U.S. facilities and personnel; (2) set a deadline for redeployment that is necessary to make the Iraqis to make the tough compromises necessary to end their civil war; and (3) engage in the intensive diplomacy necessary to get Iraq’s neighbors to play a more constructive role in stabilizing Iraq.

We are doing #1 (al-Queda is in Iraq, duh). #2 is idiotic. #3 is certainly something we should pursue (but is unlikely to be successful).

Many of you demand an immediate withdrawal of our soldiers from Iraq but in the back of your mind, you fear that a U.S. withdrawal will risk a strategic disaster, national humiliation, massacre of our friends and triumph for al-Qaida.

Surveys tell us that 20 percent want an immediate withdrawal, 20 percent want a victory, and 60 percent want something in between. It is obvious we are working in the middle ground.

So the questions are: When we committed our troops to Iraq, we had no plan to win? We had no idea this war could go on for years, even decades? That there were three major entities -- Sunnis, Shias, and Kurds -- who would put aside centuries of hate, murder and distrust within a few months or years and agree to get along? That fighting a foreign war is an expensive and thankless endeavour? That all modern wars are be fought on two fronts: the actual battlefield and the war at home against the military-hating liberals and their media machines?

Liberals can care less about the soldiers and their plights. They have demonstrated this hatred for decades. This is a political war that does not have the interests of the U.S. in mind. Those fighting this political war can care less if millions lose their lives, little own a few thousand GIs.

Since WWII, our modern military history due to anti-warmongers, the political riffs and the poor commander in chiefs we have put in power, have clearly demonstrated that America is unwilling to fight a war with victory at all cost the goal. We send our soldiers into the battle with a politically correct battle plan, which by definition is a defeatist plan. This is the shame our nation must bear.

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

The displays in the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Monday and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday was as pathetic as it gets.

Listening to the political tirades, mainly from Democrats but also a few Republicans, namely Senator Hagel, made me sick. Listening to and hearing the planted anti-war protesters (Code Pink and MoveOn types) reminds me what low life's exist in the liberal ranks.

They approved his appointment. They wrote the law to have the White House report on the troop surge in Iraq. General Patraeus had the responsibility to give an accurate picture of the situation in Iraq, not to say what the sitting administration wants him to say.

The liberals did not like his report; so it must be wrong. If he is wrong and lying, they had better begin court martial procedures.

I really have no idea how anyone can vote for one of these Democrats. And thank goodness Hagel is not going to run again (he'd lose). They are the most unprofessional and transparent group of losers I have ever seen. It is extremely sad to realize those that support them are supporting those who want America to lose.

When I hear people like Senator Boxer rant and rave about how we had the world in our hands after 9/11 and that we have squandered that, it makes me sick. Who cares what the world thinks about us? We don't want to be like any other nation. America must do what's in America's best interest.

Anyone who believes that a free and independent Iraq should be crated in a few years is a fool and has no understanding of history. And only a fool would say today that we should abandon Iraq and focus on attention on Afghanistan. We know terrorist groups that wish for our demise are in Iraq. We know they, namely al Qaeda, wish to fill a vacuum there and hope America will leave before the job is done. They know that the Democrats give them their best chance to take over in an abandoned Iraq.

No one wants to stretch and stress our military. No one likes to see billions of tax dollars going toward a foreign war. No sane person can believe that a Democrat-ran White House and Congress is going to fight to win the global war on terror. That war is being fought on two fronts -- the war against the actual terrorists and the war against the terrorist appeasers, the Democrats. Both need to be defeated.

I am all for two parties, but if one of the parties is anti-American, made up of a bunch of quitters who are unwilling to do the hard things, I pray for their demise as a political force.

I welcome the differences between the two major parties. It is great that one party favors big government and claims they can do a better job of spending people's money better than they can. It is great that the other party feels (should feel) the best government is a hands-off government and that people will spend their money better than the government.

However, more and more, neither major party represents what's in the best interest of America. Both parties are interested in obtaining and holding onto power, whatever the cost. It is just the Democrats are the more disgusting self-serving rats.

I take my hat off on this Patriot Day to General Patraeus and Ambassador Crocker. I admire those people who can sit and listen to the people in power downgrade and disrespect them for political grandstanding -- taking their lumps for the good of the nation. Thanks.

In rugby, it is unlikely for a team to surprise the pack. The winner will be New Zealand, South Africa or Australia; England, Argentina, Wales have an outside chance; likewise the host country France, which is down.

Sunday, September 09, 2007

For the past few years, I have found it increasingly interesting that few politicians and political talk show hosts feel we do not have an energy crisis. It is that 1000 pound gorilla no one wants to talk about. Consider Mortimor Zuckerman's recent editorial:

In 1930, we found 10 billion new barrels of oil and used 1.5 billion; in 1964, we discovered 48 billion barrels and consumed approximately 12 billion; in 1988, we found 23 billion barrels and used 23 billion barrels; in 2005, we found 5 billion to 6 billion barrels and consumed 30 billion barrels. With countries like China and India now in the mix, worldwide demand is growing by an average of 2 million to 3 million barrels a day every year. The world has to discover a new Saudi Arabia-size oil supplier every five years to meet this demand.

Beside the war in Iraq, I feel the the most important issue every politician running for a federal office -- president or congress -- should be confronted with this topic. Everyone of them should have a clear policy on energy economics.

Demand will increase. Prices will increase. Supplies will not keep up. The status quo is not adequate. We need better from our elected officials, from our businesses and from ourselves.

Saturday, September 08, 2007

In Surge Politics, Michael Barone wrote: "He who frames the issue tends to determine the outcome of the vote."

The Democratic leadership's goal is to undermine regardless of the cost to the nation. For example, they have began to "undercut a positive Petraeus assessment" through "a pessimistic draft of a GAO report on political progress leaked to the Washington Post last week." Although they will continue to undermine the current administration, disparage the American military, and do everything in their power to paint negativism even to the point of consoling the enemy, they lack the majority they need to do anything significant.

American voters are not so much antiwar as antistalemate and antidefeat. Between stalemate and withdrawal, they'll lean to withdrawal. Between victory and withdrawal, however, they'll usually pick victory.

Americans want to win in Iraq. The libs may have the majorities right now but they are setting themselves up for a huge fall of epic proportions. They "succeed" only if Ameria loses. They are as a vested in defeatism as they were in the 1970s, when they did have a large majority.

Friday, September 07, 2007

Like most finance periodicals lately, they have multiple articles and commentaries on the subprime lending meltdown. The current issue (3 September 2007) of Fortune magazine was no exception. Ben Stein put it into perspective:

The subprime mortgage world is about 15 percent of all mortgages or ~$1.5 billion. Of that, something like half is in default and will be seized in foreclosure and sold. Roughly half to two-thirds of that will be realized on liquidation, leaving a loss of maybe $37 billion. This is only 1/30th of what has been knocked off of the stock market.

The economy has not had one real depression since 1941. In the ~60 rolling-ten-year periods since WWII, the S&P 500's total return has exceeded the return on "risk-free" Treasury long-term bonds in all but four ten-year periods (those ending in 1974, 1977, 1978 and 2002). The first three of these were times of seriously flawed monetary policy that allowed stagflation, and the last one was on the heels of the tech crash and the worst peacetime terrorist attack in the history of the western world.

Despite wars, inflation, recession, gasoline shortages, housing crashing in various parts of the nation, riots in the streets, and wage-price controls, the S&P 500, with dividends reinvested, has yielded and average ten-year return of 243%, versus 86% for the highest-grade bonds.

Recessions rarely last more than two quarters, and the economy and stock market revive mightily after that--buying stock during a recession is a good idea. The stock market is cheap on a PE basis, profits are fabulous.

The subprime and private equity and hedge fund dogs may bark, but the stock market caravan moves on.

Speaking of the Caravan, the 2008 Dodge Caravan STX N comes with SIRIUS Backseat TV. The next thing they need to add is an in-cab vacuum system with retractable hoses for the mom on the go.

Good products and good marketing -- it is a wonderful thing.

PS - for those who went for an adjustable mortgage that looked good at the time, next time, opt for a fixed mortgage for 15 years. Don't let the real estate agents or mortgage reps tell you what you can or cannot afford. Limit your housing debt to 25% of your income and make sure you have 6 months of liquidity. Then start putting cash into the stock market (mutual funds for the non-extert, 401k, IRA, annuities).

Wednesday, September 05, 2007

I find this media obsession with Idaho Senator Craig and the bathroom sex sting fascinating. What interests me the most is the double standards that seems to exist between the two parties.

If a Republican does something against the established norm or seems to break the law, everyone in both parties and the media expects him/her to do the honorable thing and resign. If a Democrat does something, they never resign, nor are they expected to resign.

I'd prefer to let the Idaho Republican Party handle this, not the DC cronies. His resignation is his own business but I do not see why this man should resign and Barney Frank (apartment used by roommate as brothel) and William Jefferson (bribery cash in the freezer) be given a pass.

Tuesday, September 04, 2007

Individuals in Uganda, Kenya, Congo and Angola, among other nations, have been victums of the Marburg virus -- a nasty disease with a 90% mortality rate.

Marburg hemorrhagic fever is a rare, severe type of hemorrhagic fever which affects both humans and non-human primates. Caused by a genetically unique zoonotic (that is, animal-borne) RNA virus of the filovirus family, its recognition led to the creation of this virus family. The four species of Ebola virus are the only other known members of the filovirus family.

Marburg virus was first recognized in 1967, when outbreaks of hemorrhagic fever occurred simultaneously in laboratories in Marburg and Frankfurt, Germany and in Belgrade, Yugoslavia (now Serbia). A total of 37 people became ill; they included laboratory workers as well as several medical personnel and family members who had cared for them. The first people infected had been exposed to African green monkeys or their tissues. In Marburg, the monkeys had been imported for research and to prepare polio vaccine.

I am amazed at the power of nature, from massive weather to microscopic organisms. Viruses are some of the most clever and distructive entities we need to confront.

Preventive measures against transmission from the original animal host have not yet been established. However, researchers at Canada's National Microbiology Lab have made some progress on a vaccine for this family of Ebola viruses.

It is facinating how many of these deadly diseases originate in Africa.

Monday, September 03, 2007

As a Buckeye fan, one might thing I rejoice in Michigan's demise. However, I typically pull for Big Ten teams when they play non-conference games. When OSU and Michigan play in late-November, I like it best when there is more on the line than bragging rights. When Michigan lost to Appalachian State 43-32 on Saturday, I was less stunned by the defeat, rather impressed by the Mountaineers.

Coming into the game, Michigan was returning a solid team including key skill positions -- QB (Henne), RB (Hart) and WR (Manningham). Their schedule was favorable: OSU, Notre Dame, Penn State and Oregon at home and only four away games with the toughest being Wisconsin. Michigan will rebound.

For those in the media, this is a big upset. To me, having watched most of the game, put any D1 team against Appalachian State and any one of those teams could be beat. Appalachian State is a good team. Those two consecutive I-AA national championships were no flukes.

Today, Seattle Mariners' outfielder Ichiro Suzuki got his 200th hit. What makes this significant is that he has done this every year for seven. He tied Wade Boggs who did it from 1983-1989. Wee Willie Keeler did it eight times from 1894-1901.

Ichiro is an amazing player, a definite Hall of Famer, despite his late arrive to MLB from Japan. Only injury will keep him from an eight or ninth consecutive 200+ hit season.

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About Me

Raised in Ohio; educated in Southern California and Utah; served an LDS Spanish-speaking mission in Northern California; lived and worked in Texas, Missouri, Minnesota, Arizona and Utah; traveled to 49 states and 31 countries; one wife and four children.